The Watches Thread

[DeskJockey]

Very nice indeed.

What is your crazy option?

[GG.]

That’s a nice looking watch. What diameter is it?

41mm so not too large. The stock picture doesn't do it justice actually as the dial is not flat black like it appears there.

[mik]

Nice, and 41-43mm is ideal imho.

Yeah - put it on a Nato. So we can hunt. You. Down.

You going to repair and sell your Tag? Or sell it damaged?

[GG.]

Very nice indeed.

What is your crazy option?

There are a few and it varies

Depending on my mood a (preferably rose gold) JLC Master Calendar (the older one with the power reserve indicator and no numerals on the dial), first generation JLC Master Compressor Chronograph, a Reverso Grand Date or if I went all out a Patek 5035 - though not sure I could ever justify spending that much. Likely not the Compressor now I've bought the Longines which is a Chronograph.

[GG.]

Nice, and 41-43mm is ideal imho.

Yeah - put it on a Nato. So we can hunt. You. Down.

You going to repair and sell your Tag? Or sell it damaged?

Haven't decided yet. I'll probably get it repaired but the movement has stopped also so the damage could be terminal

[JLv3.0]

I can't remember if I said but the crown came off my IWC the other day. No biggie I thought, pop to the dealer and they can fix it.

Which they can. After a 21 day inspection period. Oh and they won't touch it without a service.

Which is 500 quid.

FIVE HUNDRED.

FML.

[JLv3.0]

Valid question actually - is it manufacturer-only servicing with you lot or do you let any watch repairy shop take a crack at it? Genuine question.

[GG.]

You've only had yours a year or so haven't you - surely it doesn't need a service yet?!

I'd stick to manufacturer servicing for something that new to be honest but 500 quid is a bit eye watering, particularly if its not needed. Maybe speak to another dealer or direct to IWC service if you haven't explored that already.

[JLv3.0]

I haven't unfortunately, just sucked it up. It shouldn't need a service, you're right, but has been worn a lot so had a few bits of damage to sort. Had it just over two years.

G-Shock has resumed daily duties

[dinny_g]

Valid question actually - is it manufacturer-only servicing with you lot or do you let any watch repairy shop take a crack at it? Genuine question.

Specialist but it’s a family Heirloom as well as a 60 odd year old mechanical Omega...

Based in Leicester but Michael Jones in Northampton take it in, insure it in Transit and bring it there in their own van so no post worries.

[GG.]

Which Omega out of interest Dinny? You should post some pics - it sounds like a cool watch.

[dinny_g]

It’s nothing particularly special really - a 1962 Seamaster.

My fathers uncle was given it as his retirement watch from the Dublin Met Police. There’s a whole saga about a watch of mine being ‘appropriated’ by a family member which I won’t bore you with. My dad gave me the Omega as a replacement. He had been left it in the will

[Nefarious]

Valid question actually - is it manufacturer-only servicing with you lot or do you let any watch repairy shop take a crack at it? Genuine question.

I paid for the proper first service on my Breitling (Aerospace), but then realised that it is literally just a clean, new gaskets and a new battery. They think they can verify that its been serviced by an authorised agent because the battery they use is some rare swiss make. I found a supplier of both the battery (£6) and the gasket set (£15), so have done it myself every since.

[GG.]

Yeh I totally wouldn't bother for a Quartz - they're charging you money for old rope. Different considerations with a mechanical movement watch - particularly if its an in house movement rather than an off the shelf ETA/Valjoux. I'd want someone who knows what they're doing if it was going in for a full service - which is essentially full disassembly, lubrication, re-assembly and regulation.

JL's £500 bill actually isn't too bad compared to some high end brands. Jaeger Le-Coultre are £700+ I think, though you wouldn't expect to do it more than every 5 years - maybe closer to 10 (despite what they may recommend). Plus they also then warranty that it doesn't break for a period of 12-24 months afterwards... so you can see it as a form of insurance. An independent bod is not likely to offer that.

[Rich B]

I can't remember if I said but the crown came off my IWC the other day. No biggie I thought, pop to the dealer and they can fix it.

Which they can. After a 21 day inspection period. Oh and they won't touch it without a service.

Which is 500 quid.

FIVE HUNDRED.

FML.

thats pretty pathetic imo. An utter scam. £xxxx for a watch that falls apart and costs more than a car to service.

I do not get this obsession with mechanical watches.

[JLv3.0]

And yet still post in this thread

(I agree tbh - utter scam)

[Jobbo]

Love the Longines, GG. My father has his father’s vintage Longines Conquest, and Longines always seemed to sponsor motorsports in the 80s, so dad bought me a Longines for my 40th. But sadly not one I like as much; I think I’ll get a Heritage Conquest one day.

Anyway, stick it on a NATO

[GG.]

I can't remember if I said but the crown came off my IWC the other day. No biggie I thought, pop to the dealer and they can fix it.

Which they can. After a 21 day inspection period. Oh and they won't touch it without a service.

Which is 500 quid.

FIVE HUNDRED.

FML.

thats pretty pathetic imo. An utter scam. £xxxx for a watch that falls apart and costs more than a car to service.

I do not get this obsession with mechanical watches.

Not cheap certainly but not necessarily a scam. Below is a video of disassembly to give you an idea of the process. They will then replace any worn out parts, lubricate, re-assemble and polish the watch. Like I said above, there is also the guarantee for the next 12 months. My crap Tag stopped twice in the following year after it was serviced so they essentially did this process three times (clearly not very fucking well)



That of course won't make you get why you'd buy such a thing that needs this doing periodically if you didn't get it to start with. Plus I agree not impressive the crown fell off within a year and it is certainly a scam that they're making JL get a service when it doesn't need it.

[GG.]

Love the Longines, GG. My father has his father’s vintage Longines Conquest, and Longines always seemed to sponsor motorsports in the 80s, so dad bought me a Longines for my 40th. But sadly not one I like as much; I think I’ll get a Heritage Conquest one day.

Anyway, stick it on a NATO

Love that seamaster too - didn't realise you had one (you have a Tudor Black Bay right or did I make that up?). Have more commonly seen them with a blue dial and much prefer yours.

[JLv3.0]

Anyway, stick it on a NATO

Unless you HAVEN'T given up on life